Carbon fiber is a material that is growing in popularity due to its sturdiness yet relatively light weight. Carbon fiber is being used more and more frequently in the creation of bicycles, airplanes, and even some automobiles. While products made from carbon fiber are often quite expensive, they don't necessarily have to be. You can make certain carbon fiber products at home for a fraction of the price when purchased through traditional retailers. Understand how to make carbon fiber so you can create unique items yourself.
1Find an appropriate mold.
- To make a product out of carbon fiber, you must find a mold that is of the appropriate shape and size. Some molds designed for use in the production or repair of cars can be purchased at automotive supply stores. Similarly, you may be able to find the molds for certain bike parts at local cycling shops. These products may also be obtained through Internet retailers.
2Prepare the mold.
- Once you have found the perfect mold, spray the inside of it with fiberglass resin. For best results, make sure that all nooks and crannies of the mold are completely saturated with the resin. Depending on the size of the mold, you may need more than one can of fiberglass resin.
3Apply the fiber cloth.
- Quickly press sheets of fiber cloth into the mold. As with applying the resin, make sure you completely cover all sections of the interior mold with the fiber cloth. If there are particularly small corners or angles, you may want to consider pressing the fiber cloth into the crannies with a screwdriver or other small tool.
4Add additional fiberglass resin.
- Spray the inside of the mold one more time with the fiberglass resin. The fiber cloth should be completely saturated with the product by this time.
5Heat the carbon fiber.
- Carefully close the mold. Place it inside the autoclave, and allow the carbon fiber to heat for at least 15 or 20 minutes. When this time has passed, remove the mold, and allow it to sit undisturbed for 3 hours.
6Examine the product.
- Open the mold and remove the final product. Inspect the carbon fiber on all sides, making sure there are no cracks or other forms of damage. Consider applying a light coat of clear epoxy to the product as a final step in the creation of carbon fiber.
- Always wear the appropriate protective equipment when dealing with carbon fiber. At a minimum, you should wear protective gloves, goggles, and a face mask to prevent against the inhalation of potentially fatal fumes. In addition, when making carbon fiber, work in an area which is relatively well-ventilated to avoid excessive gas build up.
Things You'll Need
- Fiberglass resin
- Fiber cloth
- Personal protective equipment
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